Corrective Services Minister Joe Francis today inspected the recently completed Eastern Goldfields Regional Prison (EGRP), which will begin receiving prisoners early next month.
Mr Francis said the prison, which had 350 beds, was part of the Liberal National Government's $655 million investment in corrective services infrastructure.
"The old prison, built in 1980, had just 100 beds. With more than three times the capacity, the new $232 million facility will meet the needs of today's corrections environment," he said.
"As well as providing extra capacity, it will improve rehabilitation prospects for prisoners by allowing them to be accommodated closer to their families and communities."
The new prison will house men and women in a mixture of traditional cell blocks and cottage type dwellings, and can accommodate all security-rated prisoners, from minimum to maximum.
"This facility is an important element of the State Government's expansion and upgrade of the prison system, including the new 256-bed 'Melaleuca' women's remand and reintegration prison in Canning Vale, which is due to open at the end of this year," the Minister said.
Fact File
The $232 million new EGRP was built through a public private partnership
The old EGRP will be demolished when all prisoners have moved to the new facility
The new EGRP is set to receive its first intake of prisoners on August 8, 2016
Minister's office - 6552 6500
